Just wondering how much a.netters. books flight based on the aircraft type rather than cheaper fares? For example when I fly from NY to Florida I like to book Delta Song because they have the B757 plus they have good service even if the fares are a little more than another airline sometimes. What do you guys think, does any one else do the same? Most people book based on price and convenience but I am sure people have favorite aircraft types or maybe pay more to fly an aircraft type becaue they might not have the chance to do so again because the type might be retired soon.

I wish I booked based on a/c type, but I'm on a pretty low budget whenever I fly, so when possible, I book on my favorite planes, but this is often difficult to do (henceforth, I keep ending up on A320s ). I desperately want to fly on the B1900D, Saab 340, and Dash 8-Qwhatever, but flights on these aircraft from where I am are pretty expensive. However, I was very excited when I went to Europe a couple of weeks ago and flew all new aircraft (to me): the CRJ, 772, 763, and (by an "unfortunate" delay) 752. So to answer your question yes I do book flights based on a/c type but only when my budget/schedule allows.

I have been known to do so from time to time. As much as I don't like layovers at ATL, I have booked on FL to fly 717s rather than CRJs. On an award ticket I used earlier this year, I used my miles on UA to fly the EMB 170 rather than pay an inexspensive fare on CO.

Usually I have to look at the budget first and foremost. However, in many cases fares are similar, and if the difference is just a few bucks I go by aircraft type, airline and airports. It is not so much that I want to be on "favourite" aircraft, but more that I want to fly on ones that I haven't been, or at least with a new airline/aircraft combination. I have booked some flights just for the fun of it, and just to be on a specific aircraft. And I will keep doing that, but only if it is relatively cheap. I am looking at a trip to the Chatham Islands, because I can fly on the C540, which would be awesome. It is quite pricey, but I suppose it is worth it. Still trying to get work paying for it

Quoting Web (Reply 2): desperately want to fly on the B1900D, Saab 340, and Dash 8-Qwhatever, but flights on these aircraft from where I am are pretty expensive

I agree, and it is mostly because the small ones are not flying the (cheap) trunk routes for obvious reasons. I would love to fly on the B1900D, Metro III, etc. At least I managed to be on a few smaller ones, such as the DHC8-100 and 300, Saab 340, ATR42 and 72, J31, 32 and 41. But again, a few are still missing...

replace "whatever" with "400" - the only Dash 8 with a "Q" is the "Q400".

Re: the subject:
When having to fly from X to Y, I first look at the schedules (departure & arrival times, transfers, lengths of nonstop flights) while keeping an eye on the price tag - plus include my favoured airlines in that decision finding process (--> miles !!! ).

When going out on pure pleasure flights, its more the airport(s) and the carrier(s) I include in my planning rather than the a/c-type (if its a new type for me, okay - but there aren´t too many of them around AND plying "pleasure routes" for me ).
-HT

Carpe diem ! Life is too short to waste your time ! Keep in mind, that today is the first day of the rest of your life !

Since I'm not the one paying for trips, I try to book A/C type and airline subtlely. If the price is similar (wthin $50ish depending on the total cost), I pick on A/C and airline for sure. Actually, I did pick my trip to SJO, Costa Rica on AA by aircraft over price in order to get away from the MD80 and enjoy AS734 and AA763. Stupid AA ended up switching my AA763 flight to an MD80 and on the way back my flight from SJO-DFW was delayed, so they just put me on the direct MD80 DFW-PDX. I was not happy as I enjoy flying on widebodies or anything but the MD80 (I fly it too many times on AS).

Price is my priority, although I do change my plans/routes b/c of the type of aircraft used on a particular flight. I always try to avoid any KLM Cityhopper F100/F70 or F50 flight, just because those aircraft are not reliable at all, too many technical problems (=delays). Based on my last experience I rather not fly the KLM B777 because it's too cramped, I prefer the B747.

While there are some people who do make an A/C choice over price, the vast majority of travellers (try 95% or more) do not. It is truly a question of a tradeoff between (a) price and (b) non-stop or direct flight. People want to get where they are going as fast as they can, paying as little as they have to. For about 80% of people, the carrier doesn't matter either - unless they live in a hub city that is dominated by one carrier in which case it does matter, but only because they have the most non-stop service. A seat is a seat, and that's that.

How do I know this? More consumer travel focus groups and surveys than you can shake a stick at.

Had the privilege two book a domestic airline ticket in Japan, which offered a discount price, which was the same for all flights between NGO and CTS. ANA's website showed a list of that particular day's flights, along with A/C types, and I was free to pick which ever suited me. Still, the choice of A320, A321 and 763 isn't all that fun, but I did manage to get my return flight on ANK instead of ANA. Great system of doing things. Paid for the ticket at a convinience store, which also printed out my ticket. Easy as pie. Go ANA!

Cheers
Mats

Sure, we're concerned for our lives. Just not as concerned as saving 9 bucks on a roundtrip to Ft. Myers.

If it´s not much more expensive, as an enthusiast, I always try to get something different, like an airline I´ve never flown or an aircraft. I´m not a really frequent flier, but with this "policy" I´ve already tried the 744, 772, M11, D10, 343, 763, 762, 320, 319, 73G, 734, 733, 732 and F100. My next step is try the 346, maybe with LH next year in GRU-FRA, and of course an Embraer, that until now, being a Brazilian, I have never flown (or any regional jet for that matter, except for a flight in July 2000 AMS-LGW connecting to GRU with BA which I DON`T KNOW which aircraft was! Unforgivable....)